UFC Icon Defends Dwayne Johnson After "The Smashing Machine" Falters at Box Office
Few Hollywood actors have taken a risk as bold as Dwayne Johnson’s transformation into UFC legend Mark Kerr. In The Smashing Machine, Johnson set aside his usual blockbuster appeal to deliver a raw depiction of addiction, redemption, and physical struggle. The performance gained critical acclaim and even sparked early Oscar talk, yet the film’s financial outcome told another story, leaving even longtime UFC voice Bruce Buffer somewhat disappointed.
Bruce Buffer's Reaction
During his podcast with TJ De Santis and Ray Longo, Buffer shared a mix of admiration and regret regarding the movie's performance.
“It was a tour de force for The Rock and Emily Blunt. They did a fantastic job with what they were given,” Buffer said. “For the benefit of Mark Kerr, I was hoping it’d be a huge hit because I hoped Mark had a piece of the action.”
Behind the Scenes and Commitment
Directed by Benny Safdie and produced by A24, the film stripped away the glossy spectacle that characterizes much of Johnson’s work. Instead, it focused on the bruised humanity of a fighter battling personal demons as fiercely as his rivals in the cage. According to MMA Fighting, Johnson spent up to four hours daily applying prosthetics to fully embody Kerr’s transformation both inside and outside the octagon.
Author's Summary
Dwayne Johnson’s daring portrayal of Mark Kerr earned admiration for its authenticity but fell short commercially, revealing the gap between artistry and box-office success.